Region D, 2A opening round
John Battle (5-5, 3-3, 7th seed)
at
Union Bears (8-2, 4-2, 2nd seed)
For the second week in a row, the Union Bears and John Battle Trojans will meet on the field with this meeting being the opening round of the Region D, 2A playoffs. The first meeting in the regular season finale saw the Bears defeat the Trojans 12-0 on Battle Hill in Bristol.
Both teams likely played the finale closer to the vest, both due to the rainy conditions and the prospect of the teams meeting in the opener of the playoffs. While the first game was important for seeding for both squads, the second meeting being a playoff, win and move on game means each team will need to empty their bag of tricks and go for broke this Friday.
Tale of the Tape
Union:
- 8-2 overall, 4-2 in Mountain 7
- 4-1 at home, 4-1 on the road
- Offense averages 30 points per game
- Defense allows 17 points per game
- 6-0 lifetime against John Battle, 3-0 at home
John S. Battle:
- 5-5 overall, 3-3 in M7
- 3-2 on the road, 2-3 at home
- Offense averages 18 points per game
- Defense allows 19 points per game
- 0-6 lifetime against Union, 0-3 on road
Fast Facts:
Union coach Travis Turner is 6-1 in first round playoff games, 9-3 at home in playoffs.
Battle coach Britt Stone is 0-2 career in the postseason, both road losses.
The two teams have never met in the postseason.
The average margin of victory for the Bears over the Trojans is 23 points per game (38-15 average score).
Gametime:
2:00pm, Saturday November 10th
Bullitt Park, Big Stone Gap, VA
For complete playoff coverage, visit http://Coalfieldsports.com
Seth. Sports fan. Big Stone Gap native. Freelance writer. Knows the difference between a 3-4 and a 4-3 as well as the species of the symbiote from Spider-Man (Klyntar). A decade plus covering local high school sport in one capacity or another. Takes himself very, very seriously. Hire me!!!!